Free The Solitary Billionaire by Trixie J Belle

Chapter One

    The crowd clapped as the statuesque blonde with a curvaceous
figure sashayed down the catwalk in a pillar-box red form-fitting dress.   She was admired in the modelling world for
her long tanned limbs, razor sharp cheekbones and ice-blue eyes.   Minx Valour had been a professional model
with Cosmic Models for less than a year but already she had amassed an
impressive portfolio.  
    Co-workers in the modelling world spent the day talking
about the competition in the Evening Bulletin.   The Evening Bulletin marketing campaign was a stroke of genius and their
readership increased 75% since they announced the Golden Star competition
details.
    At the fashion show, Mary, the owner of Cosmic Models refused
to shut up about the golden ticket.
    “Wouldn’t it be something, Minx, to open the Evening
Bulletin and find an envelope containing the golden star glistening inside?”
    “Who would you choose to spend the week with?”
    “It would have to be Elvis or Marilyn Monroe,” Mary said
dreamily as she tottered around the changing room wearing a monochrome print
dress accessorised with towering heels and classic jewellery.  
    “They have to be alive obviously.   What about the President, the Pope or one of
the Rolling Stones?”
    “I doubt the President would agree.   What if Monica Lewinsky won?”
    “If they refuse, The Evening Bulletin will approach the second
person on your celebrity wish list, but the prize money will go down by 5
Million Euro.   This money is going to a
charity of the celebrity’s choice,” whispered Minx, applying burgundy lipstick.
    “I bought fifty copies of yesterday’s Evening
Bulletin.   How many newspapers did you
buy?”
    “Three.   I’ll get a
few copies on my way home.   I’m not much
of a gambler, I never win anything,” moaned Minx.
    “I’ve spent most of my wages this month on the damned
Evening Bulletin,” Mary said, huffing and puffing at the thought of being broke
for the rest of the month.
    “If it’s any consolation I’ve spent most of my wages on a
pair of pointy silver stilettos by Manola Blahnik,” said Minx as she zipped up
her glossy black leather jacket from Karen Millen.
    “Remember you have a prestigious photo shoot tomorrow for
a commercial.   I don’t want any wild
nights, you need to look fresh.”
    “I’m also a freelance Journalist, Mary.   I don’t have time for wild nights.”
    “Goodbye darling,” said Mary, blowing a few kisses
towards Minx as she glided out the door.
    The weather turned cold as Minx Valour trudged towards
the train station.   Huge flakes of snow
drifted slowly out of the ice sky as Minx stopped at a newsagent to buy the
Evening Bulletin before boarding the train and heading home.  

    ***
    Inside Minx’s apartment, little jets of freezing air came
rushing in under the door.   The apartment
was dusty and over-decorated with complicated floral wallpaper, red cotton
curtains, decorative lampshades adorned with crystals and a brown leather sofa.
    The excitement over the Golden Star was forgotten as she
rushed around the apartment hunting for her favourite cashmere jumper and
switching on the heating.
    She pushed her reading glasses up on her nose and her trembling
hands opened the envelope in the magazine section of the Evening Bulletin.
    Minx’s ice-blue eyes were shining with excitement as a
brilliant flash of gold in the shape of a star popped out of the envelope.    She felt dizzy and wiped the beads of sweat
from her brow.   Minx rushed round the
room like a hurricane and jumped up and down on the worn leather sofa with
delight.
    Minx dashed to the phone to ring her mother.
    “Mother, Mother, Guess what?” She cried down the
telephone
    “Last time you got this excited was when you were being
potty trained.”
    Minx burst out laughing.
    “Mother, I won!”
    “Won what, darling?”
    “I found the golden star,”
    “Minx, I just returned from
getting a perm at the hairdresser’s.